Growing the Economy with Canada's Airports

Last year, many airports across Canada welcomed the highest number of passengers they've had in history. This has an enormous impact on Canada's economy.

 

Airports create jobs, support tourism and enable businesses vital access to high growth markets around the globe.

 

While airports are celebrating unprecedented growth, some are experiencing long lineups at security screening checkpoints and at our air borders during peak times. Airports are seeking investments in these federal government-run services to enable airports to continue to provide efficient connectivity.

This has become a priority for the Canadian Global Cities Council (CGCC), a coalition of presidents and chief executive officers of the eight largest urban regional Chambers of Commerce/Boards of Trade in Canada. Formed in 2015, it collaborates on international and domestic issues that impact their regions' competitiveness. The CGCC recognizes that airports require supportive policies and robust government services in order to remain competitive. 

 

The CGCC formed a partnership with the Canadian Airports Council recently to raise awareness of the economic importance of Canada's international airports, and to stimulate policy reform to align Canada with global best practices.

The Government of Canada has committed to several important air transport initiatives with the launch of Transportation 2030 last November. Transport Minister Marc Garneau said he would look at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)'s governance model, and make it more accountable to a service standard, as well as its funding more responsive to growing demand.   

Strong growth in air traffic and new routes are a boon for tourism and trade for Canadian communities. It is the hope of the CGCC and the CAC that the government finalize the commitments it made in Transportation 2030, as well as invest in the Canada Border Services Agency's services at our air borders, so that Canada's airports can continue to support domestic prosperity and international competitiveness.

The ability to access the world is critical for the country's future, as well as   necessary to ensure a diverse, creative and innovative economy. 

 

"Canada's International Airports Seeking to Attract New Air Carriers, New Routes" Hill Times Opinion Editorial 

Vancouver International Airport Launches 20-Year Master Plan

The $5.6 billion plan includes expanded terminals, new taxiways, a geoexchange system and upgraded roads and bridges.  

Passengers Soaring to New Heights at Canada's Airports

Airports across the country are reporting record numbers of passengers using their airports last year. Many of them attribute this growth to working with air carriers to develop more routes.

For instance, the Charlottetown Airport is reporting a 12 per cent increase in passenger traffic in 2016 over 2015. Increased service to Toronto last year by both Air Canada Rouge and WestJet was very popular.

	Shellfish Festival at Charlottetown Airport

"Seven years of growth is phenomenal, and that growth is really reflective of the hard work of both the dedicated team here, and the support of our partners in the airport and throughout the community," said  President and CEO Johanne Gallant of the Federicton International Airport.

 

Gallant says the introduction of the third daily WestJet flight to Toronto in early 2016, along with sun charters to three destinations contributed to the growth. 

 

Global and domestic travel is expected to continue to rise at airports across the country with the celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation taking place this year.

 

Charlottetown Airport News Release

 

Fredericton International Airport News Release

Fredericton Airport Needs to Double in Size to Meet Passenger Demand

A seventh-straight year of increased passenger traffic has the Fredericton International Airport Authority renewing its call for federal and provincial funding to help the airport expand.

	Johanne Gallant, president and chief executive officer of the Fredericton International Airport

"We are over capacity, we have been for a while, and we have been trying to accommodate as best as possible," said Johanne Gallant, president and chief executive officer of the Fredericton International Airport. "Nobody likes to be standing in a security line or in a holding room while you are waiting for your air service. The consumer has been very patient with us over the last few years but it is time we move forward."

The terminal building, which was built in the 1960s, has been operating beyond  capacity. Designs for an expansion and renovation are complete, and the airport authority has put aside $10 million for the expansion. It continues to work with the provincial and federal government to secure matching funds so that the project can move forward.

The airport is hoping to avoid an increase to its charges to air carriers and passengers.

"We don't want to offload cost to carriers," said Ms. Gallant. "We want to remain competitive."

The airport authority projects the number of passengers using the airport to reach 500,000 by 2030.

2017 ACI-NA/AAAE Airport Customer Experience Symposium

 

2017 ACI-NA/AAAE Washington Legislative Conference

  

2017 Airports@Work Conference

  

2017 Business of Airports Conference